
Bangladesh claimed top two positions in the world's longest swimming competition held in Indian river Bhagirathi on Sunday.
Ashiqur Rahman of Bangladesh Army swam 81-kilometre-long distance in freestyle to win the title in India’s Murshidabad for 11:04:27 hours.
He was followed by another Bangladeshi, Faisal Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy, who took 11:24:40 hours to cover the 81-km distance from Ahiron Bridge to Gorabazar of Berhampur.
Indian swimmer Bishwanath Adhikari grabbed the third spot in the competition, organised by Murshidabad Swimming Association.
A total of 12 swimmers participated in the 72nd annual edition of the competition.
The participants included swimmers from Bangladesh and India.
In another competition of 19-km freestyle swimming, Polash of Bangladesh Army conceded defeat to Indian swimmer Sujan Naskar by 6:29 minutes. Sujan completed his swim for 2:12:02 hours. Indian swimmer Sukanja Hajra grabbed the third spot in the segment.